CAT 2025 Answer Key Out: Score Calculation, Percentile & Deadlines

IIM Kozhikode recently released the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 answer key and candidate response sheets. Candidates who appeared for the exam can now download these documents and submit objections to the provisional answer key. The deadline for submitting objections is December 10 .

The CAT 2025 exam was conducted in three distinct slots. Candidates can access their answer keys and response sheets using their valid user ID and password on the official website, iimcat.ac.in.

Calculating Your Raw Score

To estimate your CAT 2025 raw score, apply the official marking scheme. Award 3 marks for each correct answer. Deduct 1 mark for each incorrect answer. No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.

Objection Window and Final Answer Key

With the release of the provisional answer key, IIM Kozhikode has opened a window for candidates to challenge questions or answers. Objections must be submitted by December 10 . Following this period, subject matter experts will review all raised objections and make necessary revisions. A final CAT 2025 answer key will then be published.

Understanding Percentile

The CAT percentile indicates the percentage of candidates who scored less than or equal to a particular candidate. It is a relative measure, reflecting a candidate’s performance compared to all other test-takers.

Formula for Percentile Calculation

  • Calculate the total number of candidates (N) who appeared for CAT 2025 across all slots.
  • Assign ranks (R) based on the scaled scores obtained by candidates in the entrance exam.
  • Apply the formula: P = ((N – R) / N) * 100.
  • Round the calculated percentile to two decimal places.

Approximately 2.58 lakh candidates appeared for the CAT 2025 exam, out of 2.95 lakh registered applicants. This represents an 86% attendance rate.

CAT 2025 Expected Score vs. Percentile

Based on past trends, the expected score ranges for different percentiles across the three slots are provided below. These figures are estimates for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Aptitude (QA), and Overall scores.

Percentile CAT 2025 Slot 1 CAT 2025 Slot 2 CAT 2025 Slot 3
VARC DILR QA Overall VARC DILR QA Overall VARC DILR QA Overall
99 39-40 31-32 30-31 90 41-42 27-28 28-29 87 42-43 28-29 30-32 93
95 31-32 24-25 23-24 66 33-34 22-23 22-23 63 34-35 23-24 24-25 68
90 25-26 19-21 17-18 56-57 26-27 18-19 16-17 55-56 27-28 19-20 17-18 58-60
85 22-23 16-18 14-15 45-46 23-24 15-17 13-14 44-45 24-25 16-17 14-15 46-48
80 20-21 13-14 12-13 40-41 21-22 12-14 11-12 39-40 22-23 13-14 12-13 42-44
70 16-17 11-12 10-11 35-36 17-18 11-12 10-11 35-36 18-19 12-13 11-12 37-38

Upcoming Results

IIM Kozhikode is expected to announce the CAT 2025 results in the first week of January 2026 . Candidates should monitor the official website for updates.